Abstract: A production trial was carried out on 100 male growing raccoon dogs to study the effects of low protein diets with Lysine (Lys) and DL-Methionine (Met) supplementation on growth performance and N-balance. The treatment codes were P30, P27, P24, P21 and P18. The protein contents [g kg-1 DM (dry matter)] of the diets were 295, 268, 237, 202 and 175, respectively. Lysine and DL-methionine were added to P27, P24, P21 and P18 to yield a total dietary content of Met and Lys corresponding to that in P30. From July to mid-September, Average Daily Feed Intake (ADFI), Average Daily Gain (ADG), Nitrogen (N) intake, Faecal Nitrogen (FN), Urinary Nitrogen (UN) and N retention were significantly reduced with dietary protein level decreasd (p<0.05), no significant differences among P30, P27 and P24 (p>0.05). In conclusion, when the dietary protein decreased to 24% with Met and Lys supplementation for raccoon dogs would be beneficial in terms of reduced feed expenses and lower nitrogen emissions to the environment.
H.H. Zhang, Z.G. Yue, F.H. Liu, X.Y. Cao, F.H. Yang and G.Y. Li, 2012. Effect of Growth Performance and N-Balance of Growing Raccoon Dogs Fed Reduced Crude Protein, Lysine and DL-Methionine Supplementation Diets. Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 11: 2187-2190.